BMW’s updating its worthy roadsters with the same DOHC, 1170cc, eight-valve, opposed-twin engine the R1200GS and R1200RT got last year. That means power and torque on the 2011 BMW R1200R are up marginally to 110bhp and 88lb/ft. But the big (if you can call it that) story here are the slightly revised looks, which add a K1300-style tail lamp and some new creases in the bodywork that should help the bike look every-so-slightly less visually boring without alienating the model’s core pipe-and-slippers demographic. Keep your monocle in your eye socket died-in-the-wool traditionalists, BMW hasn't forgotten about you, there's also a mechanically identical but even more conservatively styled 2011 BMW R1200R Classic.

The R1200R.

The R1200R Classic. Note the spoked wheels, pinstripe and chrome accents like the exhaust and mirrors; the models are otherwise identical.